Rams men crack Top 70 in RPI

Here’s more proof Colorado State men’s basketball has moved up closer to the Mountain West’s so- called “Big Four” than the bottom quartet.

According to the first official NCAA version of the men’s RPI report, the MWC spans the gamut. BYU leads at No. 4; San Diego State (No. 6 in AP poll) is No. 9, UNLV ranks 21st and rebuilding New Mexico is a very bubble-like No. 57.

Then CSU weighs in at 68.

Next best is TCU at 148th, AFA at 158th, struggling Utah at 163rd and Wyoming at 326.

BYU probably isn’t as good as the fourth best team in the country but if Jimmer Fredette stays healthy the Cougars should be able to leave the MWC with at least a No. 4 NCAA seed.

Wyoming clearly isn’t in the worst percentile. Desmar Jackson is a talent in the tradition of many Cowboys over the past few decades. When Heath Schroyer gets a healthy lineup for a deeper rotation, the Cowboys will surprise some folks in the MWC.

Of course, No. 68 isn’t a ticket to the NCAA. The Rams will move up as they play the MWC’s heavy weight. The key is a breakthrough or two against the top four.

Here’s just one very good sign of the team’s chemistry: After beating Wyoming in the MWC opener, Rams Pierce Hornung and Adam Nigon were talking about next week’s game at New Mexico, not their overdue rest from competition. CSU played eight games over a 16-day stretch.

Rams coach Tim Miles, who is propelling himself to the post-season hot list of coaching candidates, said in a text Wednesday “RPI is earned. We are improving but have a long way to go to get on the NCAA tourney board!”

Here’s another sign of CSU’s balance: during the eight-game stretch, five different players took or shared scoring honors. Not to be ignored is Pierce Hornung. He became the first rmas this season to lead the rebound column aside from Andy Ogide or Travis Franklin.